Dementia Australia welcomes the launch of the Aged Care Diversity Framework action plans at Parliament House today by The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care.
The action plans are guiding resources that can help providers, peak organisations and governments to ensure their services are inclusive and culturally safe for all consumers.
The plans launching today have been developed by the Aged Care Sector Committee Diversity Sub-Group in consultation with the sector. They cover older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender diverse, and intersex elders, with the expectation of more plans to come.
The Committee comprises of 10 diverse representatives from organisations including Dementia Australia, The National LGBTI Health Alliance, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO), and the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia.
Dementia Australia Acting CEO Leanne Emerson said the outcomes of the action plans would provide a guide for assessing current performance, identifying gaps and designing pathways to enable inclusive service provision.
"The intent of the action plans is to support government, aged care providers, consumers, families and carers by focusing on solutions to address barriers affecting each group's ability to access mainstream aged care services along with respectful and inclusive service provision," Ms Emerson said.
"People living with dementia account for 52 per cent of all residents in aged care facilities. The action plans will provide a series of recommendations which will lead to better outcomes for people of diverse needs and characteristics living with dementia, including more informed choices, accessible care and support, and respectful and inclusive services.
"Making sure that all Australians, no matter their background or life experience, have access to quality aged care is what we're aiming for."
The Aged Care Diversity Framework can be found here: https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/04_2018/aged_care_diversity_framework.pdf
Dementia Australia is the national peak body and charity for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 436,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to reach almost 1.1 million by 2058. Dementia Australia is the new voice of Alzheimer's Australia. Dementia Australia's services are supported by the Australian Government.
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
